Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology
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J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol · Dec 2008
Neurochemical alterations in adolescent bipolar depression: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy pilot study of the prefrontal cortex.
Identifying neurochemical alterations in adolescent bipolar depression may enhance our understanding of the neurophysiology of bipolar disorder across the age spectrum. The objective of this study was to compare in vivo neurometabolite concentrations in bipolar adolescents with a depressed episode and healthy adolescents using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS). ⋯ There may be localized alterations in brain neurometabolites in adolescents with bipolar depression. Limitations include lack of bipolar adolescents in other mood states and potential confounding effects of prior psychotropic medication use. Confirmatory (1)H MRS studies in larger samples of youths with bipolar depression are needed.